Seoul city buses are on the brink of a strike as final negotiations between the labor union and management are underway on April 29, 2025. If an agreement is not reached by midnight tonight, the strike will commence with the first bus operation on April 30, 2025.
The labor and management sides of the Seoul city bus system have been engaged in intense discussions since 5 PM today at the Seoul Regional Labor Relations Commission in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The negotiations have been marked by a palpable tension, with both sides presenting their demands firmly.
Park Jeom-gon, the chairman of the Seoul City Bus Labor Union, stated, "There will be no lies or falsehoods. We will see what happens after midnight." Meanwhile, Kim Jeong-hwan, the director of the Seoul City Bus Transportation Association, acknowledged the significant differences in opinions but expressed a desire to avoid the worst-case scenario.
The union is demanding an 8.2% increase in base pay and an extension of the retirement age from the current 63 years to 65 years, aligning with standards set by private bus companies. Additionally, the application of ordinary wage definitions, following a Supreme Court ruling from December 19, 2024, has emerged as a contentious issue. The union argues that ongoing lawsuits regarding wage definitions should be excluded from these negotiations, while management fears overlapping wage increases if lawsuits and negotiations proceed separately.
If negotiations fail tonight, the union plans to initiate a full strike or potentially a partial strike, depending on the outcome of the discussions. The city of Seoul has prepared emergency transportation measures to mitigate the impact of the strike. Starting April 30, 2025, subway operations will be increased by 173 trips throughout the day during peak commuting hours, and the last subway train will run until 2 AM on May 1, 2025. Furthermore, free shuttle buses will be deployed on 41 routes, with around 120 buses to minimize inconvenience for citizens.
As the clock ticks down to the deadline, both sides continue to grapple with their positions. The labor union has criticized the city for what it perceives as an attempt to impose wage cuts by revising the wage system, which would block various allowances that are crucial for workers’ livelihoods. The union claims that the basic salary for bus drivers barely exceeds the minimum wage and that they rely heavily on various allowances for their survival.
In a statement, the union emphasized, "The management's proposed changes threaten to dismantle the allowance structure that supports bus workers' livelihoods." They also highlighted the disparity between wages in Seoul and neighboring regions, such as Incheon, which reportedly offers higher wages under similar quasi-public transportation systems.
On the management side, there are concerns about the financial implications of the union's demands. They argue that including bonuses in the ordinary wage structure could lead to an annual increase of approximately 300 billion won in labor costs. The city government has expressed that a wage increase of over 20% is unacceptable, given that it would elevate the average annual salary per employee from 62.73 million won to 78.72 million won.
The ongoing negotiations are pivotal, as a strike could significantly disrupt public transportation in Seoul. A recent vote among union members showed overwhelming support for the strike, with 96.3% in favor, indicating the seriousness of the situation.
As negotiations continue, the city is taking proactive measures to ensure that citizens are informed about potential disruptions. Real-time traffic updates will be communicated through various channels, including the 120 Dasan Call Center, the traffic information center, the city’s website, and social media accounts.
Seoul city officials are also coordinating with local police to manage traffic in congested areas and ensure that transportation remains as smooth as possible during this critical period. The emergency measures aim to alleviate the burden on commuters should the strike go ahead.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes are on the ongoing discussions. The outcome of these negotiations will not only affect the livelihoods of bus workers but also the daily lives of countless commuters who rely on public transport in the bustling capital.
In summary, the situation remains fluid, with both the labor union and management entrenched in their positions. The next few hours will be crucial in determining whether a strike can be averted or if the city will face significant disruptions in its public transportation system.
